Radiator-valve.



5.1. MARBLE.

RADIATOR VALVE.

APPLICATION FILED APR. I7. |916.

2 SHEETS-fSHEET I.

Patented Apr. 16, 1918.

1,262,684 JT f un". un ce n E. 1. McARDLE.

RADIATOR VALVE.

APPLICATION m50 APR. I7. 1916.

1,262,684. Patented 16, 1918.

EDWARD J". MCA-EDLE, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

RADIATOR-"VALVE,

4Specification of Letters Batent.

1Batteinted. Apr. 16, 1918.

Application led lApril l17, 19116. kSerial No, 91,527.

To all whome'tmag/ concern:

Be it linovvn that l, EDWARD J. MCARDLE, a citizenof the United States, .and a resident of the cityof Chicago, in thecountyof Cook and grtate of illinois, 'have invented certain nenv and .useful improvements in Radiator- Valves; and l do hereby declare that Ithe follow-ing :is a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to :the accompanying drawings, and :to the inumerals of reference marked thereon, which form a part of :this specification.

in the majority et steam `or vapor heating systems in which radiators are employed, a .valve is used to permit the escape of air as the steam or vaporenters the radiator. Such ifalves are .generally ,of the Well known thermostatic type and .are adapted to seal :the outlet trom the radiator :to prevent the escape of steam or vapor when the heating effeet of the steam in the radiator hasapproximated normal, and sutiiciently heated the expanding member of the valve `.to cause closure thereof. Considerable difficulty, however, has been encountered with air valves of this type when employed in Ifeturn line vacuum systems lboth in their operation and in adjusting them when in position in the system; for instance after air expulsion the steam striking directly against one or two parts of the expanding member causes an uneven expansion and in time u'arps fthe member so that it fails to function properly; again Where the method of adjustment of the .expanding member with respect 'to the air :outlet is accomplished by means of a thread -and screw arrangement, the intermittent force of the steam against lthe adjusting member causes it to recede Von its thread thus increasing the gap between the expanding member and the adjusting member to such an eXte-nt that the expanding member is incapable of closing the gap and so permits steam to .enter the air line in quantities that .are injurious to certain .of the materials used in the construction of parts oit the vacuum devices. Bifculties are also niet in the adjusting and readjustingof air valves While the heating system is in Loperation whether lunder pressure ,or vacuum, because when the valve cap is removed to make. tirent-s steam appears issuing from the opening through the adjusting member, it is iin-possible v to determine Whetherrthe steam comes from Lthe radiator through ithe valve because the valve passage controlled "by the adjusting member is *too large `.to fpermit closure by the adjusting member, or Whether such `steam issues trom the air line from other ai-r lvalves iin the system that are lout'oadijustment and -areleakning steam.

This invention relates `to improvement lin an automatic air valve adapted for use in connection With steam -or'vapor radiators or the like, which improvements `will distribute ythe 'heat evenly all around the Aexpand-ing member, prevent recession -o'i' the adjusting member except when unlocked and operated .in the act .of adjust-ment, and 'Apr-Ovide a mechanism for a Imanual. closure or .out ort' o the air line independently :of the lautomatic operating members of the valve, lso that :the operation of that val-ve alone may be under observation oi the operator.

It is an :object therefore of this iinvention to ri-)rovic'le an Yimproved outlet valve for the radiator ot a steam or vapor :heating -s stem adapted to simultaneously close off ythe return line of the system tor that radiator -with the removal )of the val-ve cap.

It is also an object of this 'invention to .provide an automatically acting valve Well adapted for use in locating trouble in a steam Vheating system.

It is an important object of this invention to provide an automatic air valve for fa radiator in which a means is used to shut :oi' the vacuum return line at or in the valve by .removal of the valve cap, to permit testi-ng of the radiator air valve nfor leakage therethrough.

It is further an impor-tant Vobject of this invention :to provide an improved construction :for radiator air valves in `which a -elosure is `proj ected into the air ,or steam return :line `by means ot a they associated vwith the valve cap and actuated thereby when the `cap is being detached.

It is furthermore an important object et this invention to provide an improved 'therp mostatic air val-ve for ya steam .or vapor system in which a means is 'actuated to simultaneously .close the return line with the removal oi. the valve .cap for testi-ng :or xeinfamining the radiator' valve for :leaf-hago of steam into the air line system, said valve having a means for evenly distributing the heat aboutthe expanding member, and also provided with a locking means for the adjustable valve parts.

llt is finally an object of this invention to construct and automatic thermostatic air valve for a steam heating system the adjustment of which may be examined and tested for leakage of steam into the vacuum air line system by simply removing the valve cap, the removal of which closes the outlet to the air line of the system, while the replacing of said cap acts to open said outlet.

The invention (in a preferred form) 1s illustrated in the drawings and hereinafter more fully described.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a central vertical section of aradiator air valve embodying the principles of my invention, with parts shown in elevation.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical section of the upper end of the air valve, with parts in elevation, and showing the valve cap in place and the valve passages normally open.

Fig. 3 is a similar sectional view showing the cap partly removed and the adjusting means partly'engaged in the return line air Y outlet tube.

Fig. e is a similar sectional view showing the valve cap in its uppermost position ready for removal, and with the adjusting means seated in position to completely shuton the air system.

Fig. 5 is a top plan view of the device with the cap removed.

Fig. 6 is an interior bottom planV view of the valve cap.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged vertical section of a modified form of the device.

Fig. 8 is a section taken on line 8--8, of Fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is a section taken on line 9 9, of Fig. 7.

Fig. 10 is a side elevation of the upper end of either form of the device showing a registering means for the cap and valve casing.

As shown in the drawings:

The reference numeral l, indicates a radiator provided with the usual threaded aperture in one end thereof into which an automatic air valve embodying the principles of my invention is engaged. Said valve comprises a base 2, having integrally formed thereon at one side thereof an outwardly projecting threaded stem or nipple 3, adapt ed to be threaded into the radiator aperture to secure the valve in position. Said nipple 3, is provided with an interior bore or steam passage e, which extends inwardly into the base 2, and then upwardly communicating with a steam chamber 5, provided in a cylindrical valve casing 6, which is threaded into the upper end of the base 2,. and has its upper end open and internally threaded to receive a valve cap, denoted as a whole by the numeral 7. Said cap is divided into two chambers S, separated by a cross bar'or guide member 9, integrally formed or rigidly secured to the walls of said cap. Formed in the center of the cross member 9, is a rectangular aperture 10, having a key 11, of-

flares outwardly and communicates with a vacuum or steam return line pipe 111, conn nected to thelower end of the base 2, by means of a coupling 15, and screw cap 16. Said valve is provided with an automatic, primary or thermostatically acting closure mechanism comprising a tube 17, threaded into the upper end of the base 2, and axially alined therewith and internally threaded at its upper end, and with the lower end communicating into the passage 13. rllhe tube 17 is arranged to extend upwardly into the steam chamber 5, to within a short distance of the upper end thereof. Resting on the upper centralportion of the base 2, and surrounding the lower end of the tube 17 is a baflie `plate 18, aording a restricted annular passage therearound for the steam entering into said steam chamber. Slidably and loosely mounted on the tube 17, and having its lower end bearing upon the baille plate 18, is an expansion cylinder or post 19, made of carbon or any other suitable expandible material, the upper end of which is normally flush with the upper end of the tube 17.

Threaded into the interior of the valve casing 6,' and at a short distance from the upper end of the casing is an adjusting bushing 20, having a large central recess or chamber 21, in its upper end, and a smaller recess or chamber 22, in the lower end thereof, separated from one another by a wall or seat 23, which is provided with a central passage, the lower end of which is slightly enlarged and threaded as indicated by the reference numeral 241. Formed or cut in a peripheral rim 25, of the bushing 20, surrounding the recess 21, are a plurality of notches 26, equidistantly spaced from one another, and adapted to register with corresponding notches 27, cut or formed in the inner wall of the casing 6, near the upper end thereof. Said recess 2l, is adapted to receive seated therein a centrally ,apertured ,cross piece or locking bar 28, the ,ends Yof which are adapted to engage in oppositely disposed sets of the registering notches 26 and 27, to prevent an `upward or downward rotary movement oi zthe bushing 20.

Movably mounted in the recess 22, and projecting upwardly through ,the seat v23, and the locking bar 28, is a secondary or auxiliary valve y closing mechanism comprising a plunger, plug `or piston, yconsisting of an enlarged cylindrical head 29, having in- ,tegrally formed at the lower ,end thereof a reduced eXteriorly threaded closure 30. Also integrally formed ,on said head 29, on the upper end thereof is lanother eXteriorly threaded reduced portion 31, having integrally formed thereon an upwardly extending shaft yor rod `32, provided with a lateral slot 33, in the upper `end thereof, and lalso with a steam by-,pass 34, the lower opening of which is in the .si-de of the shaft a short ldistance Iagbove the threaded portion 31, and the upper outlet in theslot 33, at the upper end of the shaft.

In the modided form of the device shown in Figs. 7 8 and9, the construction of the air `-valve is similar to that already described, .with the exception -that the valve base 2, is provided with an enlarged passage 35, the lower end of which is threaded to receive a hollow cylindrical plug 36, open .at its lower end to communicate with the pipe 14, and closed at its upper end which is of reduced diameter and provided with a plurality of laterally disposed vents or apertures 37, to afford .communication between the passage 35, and the ,interior of the p lug ,36.

Threaded into a centrally disposed aperture in the upper end of the b ase 2, is a long tube 43S, open at its lower end., and slidably extending upwardly through the baiile plate 18, ,the expansion cylinder 19, land through a bushing 39, threaded into ,the upper end of the valve casing 6, above ythe steam chamber 5. In order to permit steam or air to .pass from the chamber 5, out through V,the main outlet at the lower end ,of the valve, a plurality 01"' laterally disposed vents Aor apertures e0, are provided through the tube at points near the upper end thereof, bctween the expansion cylinder 19, and the bushing 39. The upper end of said bushing is also .provided with a large central recess 2l, and peripheral notches 2G, to receive the locking bar 28, to preif'ent ro- Vtation `of the bushing. Said .tube 3S, is closed .at its upper end, which is slotted to removably receive the key 11, to permit adjustment ,of the tube, and drilled to aliord a steam by-pass 41. d

In A( wrder that .the threads on the cap 7, may properly ,engage the .threads at the 4upper 5end of the `casing `6, to insure l,proper lengngement of the Dkey 11, with the adjusting mechanism within :the valve, `registering symbols or marks 42, lare cut or rformed on .the v.exterior of the cap 7, `and on the casing The operation is as follows:

The air valve ismounted on the radiator 1, by threading ,the stem 3, into the aperture provided for the purpose in the radiator. The Valve is, of cour 4e, positioned vertically, the lower end being connected to the vacuum air line or return steam pipe 14, depending upon the type of heating system in which the valve is being used. Under normal conditions when the radiator is cold the operating parts of the valve are positioned as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and steam then admitted into the radiator forces the air from within the radiator through the passage 4f, into the chamber 5, and out through the tube 17, and pipe la, thus permitting steam to flow inwardly around the baille plate 18, to lill the chamber 5, thus evenly actuatV ing the ,primary valve closure mechanism 'by distributing the heat ,equally and evenly through the expansion cylinder 1'9, causing .the same to expand and contact with the lower surface of the bushing 20, thereby `closing the entrance tothe vacuum or return pipe line when .the valve is in proper adj ustment.

lf steam or vapor is now found in or issufrom the return air line system and it .is desired to locate the particular radiator valve which is out of adjustment and permits leakage of steam or vapor into the air line, the secondary or auxiliary valve closure mechanism is brought into use. rlhe cap 7, is unscrewed, the key 11, dropping by gravity into the slot 33, thus simultaneously Eturning the plunger, the lower ,threaded end 30, yof which engages and .threads into the upper end of the tube 17, while `the portion 31, of the plunger gradually unthreads from its engagement with the lthreads v24, of the bushing. By referring to Fig. 3, it will be noted that the threaded portion 30'engages the tube 17, .before the portion 3l, of the plunger becomes disen gaged from the bushing 20. When .the cap has been vturned an amount suiiicient to permit thD same to be removed from the valve, the plunger has been moved to its lowerniost position, as shown in Fig. 4, with the plunger .seated upon the upper end of ,the tube 17 or within the same to shut off the vacuum line or return steam line from con'imunication with the radiator through ythe valve. The cap 7, together with the key 11, may now be removed, and if the radiator is heated and steam still passes upwardly from the chamber 5, through the recess 22, and out of .the upper end of the plunger vio ist

shaft 32, by way of the auxiliary outlet or by-pass 34, this indicates that the valve is leaking and needs adjustment since the bushinO' 20, is too high to permit the expansion post 19, to contact the same when it is eX- panded to its maximum. lf however, steam does not issue from the by-pass, and the radiator is hot it will indicate that the particular valve is adjusted, properly and that the trouble sought must be elsewhere in the system. rlhis deduction is made possible since' thc return line is shut off and consequently a hissing sound caused by steam back pressure or air suction cannot be mistaken for the escape of steam or vapor through the valve thus under Observation. The cap and hey may be afterward replaced, with the symbols 42, on the cap and casing positioned to register witn one another to insure proper engagement of the threads of the kmechanism operated by the cap and key.

ln order to prevent the bushing 20, from turning in the valve casing 6, due to variations in steam pressure, or other causes, thus tending to throw the operating parts out of adjustment, the bushing 20, is locked in position by means of the locking bar 28, the ends of which engage in oppositely disposed sets of the registering notches 26 and 27, as clearly shown in Fig. 5. By removing` the locking bar 28, the bushing 20, may be threaded upwardly or downwardly to adjust the opening or passage between the expansion cylinder 19, and the bushing. The plurality of notches 26 andr 27, permit delicate adjustments to be made.

ln the modified form of the device, shown in Figs. 7, 8 and 9, the air from the radiator, on the admission of steam or vapor thereto, is forced through the passage 1i, chamber 5, into the apertures a0, and out through the tube 38, the passage 35, vents 37, and the pipe la, thus admitting steam into the chamber 5, to heat and expand the cylinder 19, until it contacts the bushing 39, to automatically shut o1? the steam. By referring to Fig. 7, leakage of steam through a valve may be located as already described, the means for shutting off the vacuum air line or return steam or Vapor line simultaneously with the removal of the valve cap, being, however, located at the lower end of theV valve. By turning the cap the rectangular key l1, gradually drops by gravity through its guide aperture l0, remaining engaged in the upper slotted end of the tube 38, which threads downwardly in the base 2, to contact the upper surface of the plug 36, thus shutting 0E the return line. lf the radiator is hot with the post 19, expanded and steam still passes through the vents 40, and by-pass el, out through the open upper end of the valve, the valve is out of adjustment and the bushing 39, should be adjusted to stop the leakage. lf, however, no steam or air is forced out of the upper end of the valve when open, this indicates that the particular valve is properly adjusted and that the trouble sought is in one of the other radiator valves of the system.

By removing the cap 7, and the locking bar 28, from its seat, the valve may be adjusted any desired amount by threading the bushing 89, upwardly or downwardly, and tien replacing the locking bar to lock the bushing in said adjustment.

it will, of course, be understood that the valve may be manually operated by dispensing with the cap key, and after removing the valve cap by simply applying a screw driver or other suitable tool in the slotted upper end of the plunger to move the same to seat and shutoff the return line to adjust or to test for valve leakage.

l aware that various details of construction may be varied through a wide range without departing from the principle of this invention, and l therefore do not purpose limiting the patent granted otherwise than necessitated by the prior art.

: claim as my invention:

l. ln a thermostatic radiator air release valve ofthe class described, primary valve closure means, and secondary valve closure means within said prima-ry valve closure means acting to shut off the air exit independently of said primary closure means.

2. ln a radiator air valve of the class described having an outlet at the lower end thereof, a valve cap removably mounted thereon, and means within said valve adapted to be simultaneously actuated by the remeval of said cap to close said outlet.

3. ln a radiator air valve having an air outlettherein, a cap removably engaged thereon and a mechanism within said valve connected. with said cap and actuatable thereby to close said air outlet.

a. ln a device of the class described the combination with a radiator air valve having outlets therein, thermotic means for closing one of said outlets, and auxiliary means adapted to be actuated to project into said thermotic means to close'said valve outlet independently of said thermotie means.

5. ln a device of the class described the combination with a radiator valve, having a main outlet and an auxiliary outlet therein of cap removably mounted thereon, adjusting means mounted within said valve for varying the passage of air through said main outlet, closure mechanism associated with said adjusting means, and means connected to said cap and to said closure mechanism to actuate the same simultaneously with the movement of said cap.

6. In a valve of the class described, a casingv having `an outlet at the lower end thereof, cap removably mounted thereon, means slidably engaged therein, and'meC-hanism Within said casing engaged and adaptedto be actuated by said means to close said valve outlet when sait cap is removed.

7. ln a radiator valve of the class described having outlets therein, an adjusting bushing Within said valve, and mechanism projecting through said bushing adapted to close one of said outlets.

S. ln a radiator valve of the class described having a main outlet for the release of air, adjusting means therein for regulating the passage of air through said outlet, locking means therefor, and mechanism associated with bot-h 0f said means adapted to close said valve outlet.

9. In a thermostatic radiator air release valve of the class described having a main outlet and an auxiliary outlet therein, a removable cap therefor, an adjusting bushing Within said valve, locking means therefor, a gravity acting key slidably mounted Within said cap, thermostatic means for closing said main outlet, and auxiliary means projecting through said bushing and through said locking means engaged by said key adapted to be simultaneously actuated to close said main valve out-let independently of said thermostatic valve closure means when said cap is removed.

10. In a radiator valve of the class described comprising a casing, a removable cap therefor, an outlet tube Within said casing, a baflie plate thereon, an expansion member surrounding said tube and resting on said plate, an adjusting mechanism mounted Within said casing above said tube and member, means for locking said adjusting mechanism in adjusted position, a plunger Within said casing threaded into said mechanism and slidably engaging said means, and a gravity acting key engaged in said cap engaging said plunger and adapted to actuate the same simultaneously With the removal of said cap, said plunger adapted to engage said tube before it disengages said mechanism to close the valve outlet.

l1. rlhe combination With aradiator valve, of an outlet tube therein, adjusting mechanism Within said valve, a plunger comprising .a head, a lovver and an upper threaded portion integral therewith, a shaft integral with said upper threaded portion having a by-pass therein, said upper plunger portion normally threaded into said adjusting mechanism to hold said plunger in position With the by-pass closed, and means for actuating said plunger to permit said lower threaded portion to engage said outlet tube before the upper threaded portion disengages said adjusting mechanism, said plunger head adapted to seat on saidA outlet tube to close the same and open the by-pass to permit passage through said by-pass of the steam or vapor escaping past or through said adjusting' mechanism if thesame is not prop-- orly adjusted.

l2." ln a radiatorl valve of the class described having outlets therein, `a cap there.- for having a slet therein, akey movably engaged invsaid slot adaptedto be actuated by said cap, and mechanism Within said valve adapted to be engaged by said keyand actuated thereby simultaneously With the movement of said cap to close one of said valve outlets.

13. ln a radiator valve of the class described, a casing having a plurality of notches near the inner upper end thereof, a recessed adjusting bushing threaded into said casing, said bushing having a plurality of notches therein to permit adjustment of the valve and adapted to register With said casing notches, and a locking bar removably engaged in said recessed bushing adapted to engage sets of said registering notches to lock said bushing in adjusted position.

lll. The combination of a radiator valve having a main outlet and an auxiliary outlet therein, adjusting means therein for varying the entrance passage to said main outlet, locking means therefor, shut olf means associated With said adjusting means, and means adapted to operate said shut oft' means to close said main valve outlet.

15. ln a radiator air valve of the class described having an air exit therein, automatic valve closure means, auxiliary valve closure means, and means adapted to actuate said auxiliary valve closure means to project the same into said .automatic valve closure means to shut oli the valve air exit independently of said automatic valve closure means.

16. 1n a thermostatic radiator air release valve of the class described having a main outlet therein, thermostatic mechanism for automatically shutting ofl said outlet, auxiliary mechanism Within said valve having a normally closed by-pass therein, and means adapted to actuate said auxiliary mechanism to close said main valve outlet and open said by-pass independently of said thermostatic mechanism.

17. ln a thermostatic radiator air release valve of the class described having a main outlet therein, primary means for closing said main outlet, a bushing movably mounted Within said valve above said primary means adapted to regulate the air passage into said main outlet, secondary means for closingv said main outlet having an auxiliary outlet therein, said secondary means normally engaging said bushing With said auxiliary outlet closed, and mechanism kfor actuating said secondary means independently of said primary means to close saidV Ymain outlet and open said auxiliary outlet.

18. In a radiator air valve of the class described havingan air outlet therein, primary means for automatically closing said outlet, a cap and key removably mounted onsaid valve, secondary means adapted to be actuated by said cap and'key to close said outlet When said cap is being removed, said secondary meansV constructed to receive a tool to actuate the same When said cap and key are removed.

n testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name in the presence of two 15 subscribing Witnesses. Y

EDWARD J, MCARDLE. Witnesses:

EARL M. HARDINE, FRED E. PAESLER.

Copiers of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, 4

Washington, D. C. 

